Vice mayor loyal to Ampatuan shot in Davao

COTABATO CITY, Philippines  — A vice mayor in Maguindanao loyal to former governor Datu Andal Ampatuan Sr. was gunned down in Davao City yesterday.

Vice Mayor Alex Tomawis of Barira, Maguindanao died on arrival at Davao City Doctor’s Hospital from a gunshot wound in the head.

Superintendent Querubin Manalang, Davao Region police spokesman, said Tomawis was ambushed at 10:45 a.m. on Hill Drive St., beside Heritage Church in Bajada, Davao City.

Tomawis was shot to the head by a teenager pretending to seek his signature for a document, he added.

The attack was so sudden that security men of Tomawis failed to protect him, police said.

Of Iranon descent, Tomawis was a three-term mayor of Barira prior to his election as vice mayor in the last elections.

He was popular for his strong political alliance with the mayor of five other towns in the first district of Maguindanao.

Talks have earlier circulated that Tomawis is to run for governor of Maguindanao during the 2013 elections.

In last month’s barangay elections, Army troops stopped a convoy of Tomawis and found in his possession election paraphernalia and ballot boxes intended for vote-rich barangays in Barira, and nearby Buldon town, also in Maguindanao, whose mayor is his wife.

Tomawis filed administrative and criminal charges against the Army officers that led the confiscation of the election materials.

The remains of Tomawis were brought home to Barira for Islamic burials rites.

– John Unson, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Edith Regalado